Cranbrook school: pipe dream, nightmare or worth a go?

[goddessofplenty]

Does anyone have any recent experience of getting their DC into Cranbrook/what it’s like there? Including boarding. About five years ago I found a thread on how it had hit the skids a bit but I can’t see if that’s changed. I know there’s a new Head who has just come in but that’s it and if I’m going to make my DD do loads of extra work to try and get in I’d like to know if it’s going to be worth it!!

You need to be aware the non-selective school closed in this area so if your daughter does not pass the Kent Test / entrance exam she will have to travel out of Cranbrook for secondary school.

Are you asking about the private school? I personally know two people whose children went there and they really haven’t achieved a lot in life! Am talking about 10 years ago so maybe it has changed.

I’m closely related to kids who are currently there (not my own). It ain’t all that tbh.If she’s clever the academics at TOGs and Tunbridge Wells are better.

Cranbrook isn’t that hard to get into so you don’t need to pressure her.

Honestly, it’s still not great (and I say that with my sadness as my child is there). The new Head though has acknowledged the main issue (academic attainment not been a focus for years) but sadly teaching in some key subjects is just not good enough. The school have been able to mask it for a very long time as a high proportion of parents (very high) pay for private tuition outside of school. With more of the intake slowly coming from non-private schools, there will inevitably be more parents who can’t afford to pay for private tuition and these children do suffer academically. I’d hoped for a more impactful quick change from the new Head, and some efforts have been made (option to pay for additional class(es) over school holiday periods) but it’s not enough. I assume it’s just hard to get rid of the old-school ineffective teachers?

On a positive note, other than academically, kids do seem to love being at the school. It’s a safe small environment, with lots of options to get involved in extra-curricular activity. And of course, Cranbrook itself is a lovely little town.

Hello,

I just wondered if there were any more up to date views on the school and impact of new headmaster? I went to the open evening yesterday, and they certainly made a good impression. One of the teachers genuinely raved about how it was an amazing school with amazing kids, and they wouldn't be anywhere else. I did wonder about the academics, but I'm hoping that it's 'good enough' academically given that it's selective, without being an exam factory?

Any more views welcome!

Thanks.

Yes, the school are definitely very good at ‘talking the talk’ and selling themselves! I think the Head is having impact. Academically, it’s still not as good as you’d expect from a grammar school but it’s ok (in my opinion, and I think a lot of parents feel the same). A lot of efforts seem to be given to improving finances at the moment (obviously important for a school) but maybe those efforts would be better focused on attainment? But as mentioned before, kids love it there, and they don’t seem to feel as much pressure as I’ve heard kids at other grammar schools do, which is a positive thing. I think you have to go with your gut instinct. Good luck!

It's a bit unfair to compare it to other grammar schools. It's only grammar standard in year 7 and 8. After that, they have their own tests and from my experience, a lot of the boarding students are definitely not of the standard.

Does anyone have any inside views on the boarding offering at Cranbrook? We're looking at Y9 for a girl. Have started a thread in Boarding too but trying here as well!

I have young relatives who were/are there.

They seem to enjoy the boarding aspects, it’s all friendly. That’s ok it’s the academics that are poor imo.

Thank you - do you think the academics are poor generally, or just in comparison to other grammars? Obv it won't compare to eg TOGS - but actually that appeals to me a bit as it wont be a hot house. But if you mean it's poor in comparison to a local comp (or not actual comp, it's Kent after all) that clearly wouldn't be great given it's selective.

In comparison to other grammars and private schools. Presumably it compares ok to comprehensives, I just don’t think it’s as good as it should or could be given it’s selective.

It’s not TOGs or bust - there’s Tunbridge Wells, Weald, Rochester which are less academic.

But it's not selective in year 9 onwards? They barely reject anyone from what we've seen. Locally, boarding is known as the easy way in, as you don't need to pass the tests.

There was a lot of drug taking among the boarders a few years ago. I don't know if that is still the case.

From what I hear about other schools, it's going on more and more generally, so I wouldn't be surprised but I can't say anything for certain. Sad really.

But the boarders do still have to sit the test - are you saying they don't need to pass - ie boarding is undersubscribed? I have no real feel for what the competition looks like for boarding entry! Day entry will be more competitive now as they've reduced the number of day places for Y9 considerably.

There are very few day places at yr9 nowadays.
Boarders have to pass a test BUT as they pay for the boarding aspect (£5K per term I think) I imagine it is easier to get in. Boarding is undersubscribed at the moment.

I don't think it's a case of not needing to pass, it's more that they have different requirements so they rank those who apply - I have heard of several who wouldn't have got in with the scores they had if they weren't boarders! On the other hand, it seems like some boarders are amazing but unfortunately some parents just want a cheap private school and hope the poor teachers can give them the same they got elsewhere for a fraction of the cost.
I bet those places will fill up after the VAT announcements but let's hope it's with the right boarders but to go back to the original statement, it's unfair to compare it to any other selective school because so many wouldn't pass 11+

Ok, yes this makes sense all round. Thank you - very helpful.

I don't want to be too negative - I've had and heard lots of positives. The top end and middle do pretty well (they'd probably do better but the school does focus on lots of fixtures, games lessons etc which is because they're trying to compete with independent schools not state schools). It depends what you want - the new head and deputy seem to talk a lot of sense and so hopefully they will look at these issues and make it even better 😊

My daughter started Cranbrook this September as a year 9 Boarder having been giving other options. The options being to stay at her Kent Girls Grammar a Independent day school up to circa £20K PA or Cranbrook which offers a 'semi' Public school vibe for £15,900 per year. So far DD is enjoying the boarding aspect of the school and can't wait to go back on Sunday for the new term.

With regards to the academic requirements to enter, DD took the Boarding School test. The requirements are posted Underneath.

Year 9 Selection a. The usual age for entry into Year 9 is 13. Candidates applying out of year will be considered on an individual case basis by the Governors Admission Committee. b. Candidates take an objective test, which will be made up of verbal, non verbal and quantitative reasoning tests. c. All boarding candidates are ranked by final mean mark. The pass mark will be set each year depending on the academic standards of the students applying. d. Candidates’ suitability for boarding is assessed by interview. The interviewer(s) will only consider whether the child presents a serious health and safety hazard to other boarders or whether they would be able to cope with and benefit from, a boarding environment. The type of questions asked are those used by all state boarding schools in assessing boarding suitability. No account is taken of the boarding interview in the assessment of a candidate’s academic suitability

DD told me the standard required at 13+ was marginally more difficult than the 11+ but of course was two years older so found the test relatively straight forward ! DD has not noticed whether the academic standard of other pupils is lower than her previous Grammar. The only notably difference being that the nature of the classroom is different because of the Coed nature.

Yes - so the pass mark is set based on how others applying for boarding do so some will be under the requirement for those entering normally.
I'm glad she's enjoying it - there are lots of positives! I am confused though - what girls grammar is independent? That seems contradictory?

DD was offered the opportunity for year 9 to stay at her Girls Grammar go to a Independent day school around £20k PA or board at Cranbrook. She wanted to Board and as we could not afford the £40- 50 K PA required in the Public School sector opted for Cranbrook. Ideally we would have preferred she had opted for Boarding at Rippon Grammar because we want to move North Yorkshire !

I have a son in year 12 at a Boys Kent Grammar as well who was offered Cranbrook for year 9 and then again for Sixth Form. He is happy at his current school and never wanted to Board anyway.

Ripon Grammar....

Thank you @Rachelthieves - this js really helpful. Really pleased to hear your DD is happy and looking forward to going back after half term - that's a good sign!